Consumer Madness

Anybody remember the Cabbage Patch Kids frenzy? How about Beanie Baby insanity? Well, last week we had Playstation 3 riots with the launch of the newest Sony video game machine. Selling at $500 to $600 (depending on the hard drive) the almost impossible to get toy (only 400,000 were released in the USA) was listing for up to $5,000 on eBay at one point.

I am bringing this up because Thanksgiving Day is tomorrow and millions of Americans will be sitting down to dinner with family and friends. At the beginning of the meal the host or hostess will go around the table asking each person there what they are most thankful for this year. I don't think many will be answering that it is their Playstation 3.

The day after Thanksgiving is known as Black Friday in the selling business and is traditionally the start of the Christmas retail season. Try to ignore the fact that most stores have had their Christmas items on display since October. Black Friday has nothing to do with the spirit of the Christmas season. Black Friday is a stressful, gluttonous day of consumer buying that brings out the worst in some people.

This year I will be opting out.




Buy Nothing Day